White Copper Guardian Generals Two Generals Three-hole Bead

This is a three-hole bead, larger than an ordinary bead, shaped like a T: a hole running across at the top and one running down at the bottom. Strung on a bracelet it stands at the head, closing the whole strand, with disciple beads or a tassel hanging below, so that both ends of the piece are gathered in it. A groove runs down each side, so the line is held where it passes and does not slacken. The mouths of the holes are drawn in slightly, hiding the knot inside.

The three-hole bead is also called the mother bead or Buddha head; it is the gathering piece on a mala. It needs three holes, the cross hole for the loop and the vertical for the tail, and the channels must meet inside: off by a little and the line runs crooked. Wooden beads are drilled. A copper one is cast with the holes left in the mould, which removes the risk of a wandering drill but demands more of the mould, since a small error ruins a whole batch. After casting the holes are reamed; burrs left on the walls will cut a cord after a few passes.

Carved on top are the generals of the temple procession. The guan jiang shou is a Taiwanese temple parade formation, originating at the Dizang temple in Xinzhuang, New Taipei; tradition has them as the two generals Zeng and Sun before Ksitigarbha, later developed into a road-opening formation. Performers paint their faces blue-black, show tusks and carry a third eye on the forehead, and they walk with a heavy, punctuated step unlike other divine-general formations, so that the presence holds a crowd. The number varies: three is a small formation and five a large one, depending on the occasion.

In form the two generals stand back to back, one holding a fork and one pressing a sword, with spikes on their helmets. The copper is toned dark; a blue face cannot be shown on copper, so the expression is carried by raised muscle and deep-set eyes. The holes run between the two figures, inconspicuous from the side and, from the front, two figures with a seam between them. The spikes on the helmets are blunt, so they will not scratch your wrist.

The set includes more than the single piece, usually with disciple beads and spacers. If you string it yourself, leave enough line at the vertical hole so that the knot is not cramped. When copper and wooden beads go on one strand, put a leather washer between them, because hard against hard will dent the wood. Clean by wiping, never soaking: water in the channels dries slowly and eventually works green out from inside. Spacers in the set are counted for a typical bracelet, and extras can be kept for replacements.